(1 of )National Theatre Live will broadcast the Donmar Warehouse production of Shakespeare's "Coriolanus," a searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge, with Tom Hiddleston starring as Caius Martius Coriolanus. When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people. JOHAN PERSSON National Theater Live

Screen gems find their way to Sonoma County

DAN TAYLOR

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | January 23, 2014

As we settle into the Academy Awards season, people are talking about the biggest and newest films, from "American Hustle" to "The Wolf of Wall Street."

But dedicated followers of the cinematic arts also favor smaller independent films and classic movies from the past.

In addition, they'll go to see big-screen broadcasts of live stage plays, concerts, ballets and operas performed as far away as London or Moscow, but available at movie theaters close to home.

Sonoma County has plenty of screen space for the blockbusters and Oscar contenders, but there's also room for art films and other offbeat big-picture pleasures.

And better yet, many of the screenings are priced well below regularfirst-run film tickets.

To prove the point, here are selected samples from the current crop scheduled for local screens.

Tonight -#8212; The latest independent film from director John Sayles, known for "Return of the Secaucus 7" and "Matewan," is "Go for Sisters," starring Yolonda Ross and LisaGay Hamilton as childhood friends reunited by chance. The Sonoma Film Institute screening starts at 7 p.m., with a repeat showing at 4 p.m. Sunday. Warren Auditorium, Ives Hall, in the Sonoma State University campus, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. $5-$7. 664-2606, sonoma.edu/sfi.

Wednesday -#8212; The Petaluma Film Alliance Cinema Series will screen director Francois Truffaut's 1973 French classic, "Day for Night" at 7 p.m., following a 6 p.m. lecture, in the Carole L. Ellis Auditorium on the Petaluma campus of the Santa Rosa Junior College, 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway. A discussion will follow the film. $4-$5. petalumafilmalliance.org.

Thursday -#8212; The hero of ancient Rome, played by Tom Hiddleston (Loki in "The Avengers"), faces foes from afar and within in William Shakespeare's "Coriolanus," in a National Theater Live broadcast from London at 7 p.m. Encore showing at 10 a.m. Feb. 1. $16-$23. Rialto Cinemas, 6868 McKinley St., Sebastopol. 525-4840, rialtocinemas.com.

Feb. 2 -#8212; Summerfield Cinemas screens the ballet "Jewels," choreographed by George Ballanchine and performed live at the Bolhsoi Theatre in Moscow, at 1 p.m. Encore at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4. $14-$18. 522-0719, summerfieldcinemas.com.

Feb. 6 -#8212; "The Rolling Stones: Sweet Summer Fun" captures the band's live show last summer in London's Hyde Park, attended by 100,000 fans. One show only at 7 p.m. at Summerfield Cinemas. For ticket information: 522-0719, summerfieldcinemas.com.

Feb. 7 -#8212; The Sonoma Film Institute presents "Chasing Shakespeare," an independent film starring Danny Glover and Tantoo Cardinal as lovers in rural Arkansas, at 7 p.m. in Warren Auditorium, Ives Hall, on the Sonoma State University campus. The program repeats at 4 p.m. Feb. 9. $5-$7. 664-2606, sonoma.edu/sfi.